Course Catalog 2018_w_ CTE draft

exact details are not available. Information will be released on dual enrollment costs for students as soon as it is made available . This Placement testing is required of students before beginning dual enrollment classes through New River Community College. Students must submit their applications for admission to New River before taking the placement tests. Applications can be submitted on the NRCC website under admissions. Placement testing must be completed prior to beginning the dual enrollment course. Students can retake the placement test one time within 12 months of the initial attempt of the Virginia Placement Test (VPT).

EXEMPTIONS FOR PLACEMENT TESTING

Students may be exempt from taking the Virginia Placement Tests (VPT) if they have taken SAT, ACT, or PSAT test and received the qualifying minimum scores. Please refer to New River Community College’s website for specific scores and information.

ABOUT THE VIRGINIA PLACEMENT TEST

The VPT is a computerized test composed of two separate assessments, English and math. Each test will take between 2 and 3 hours to complete. Students needing to complete both tests should consider taking them on separate days to avoid fatigue. Individual testing times depend on how long it takes the test taker to answer the questions and how consistently he or she answers the questions. Placement tests are not graded per se; they are simply used to place students into appropriate courses. Students should put their best effort into these tests to demonstrate a readiness to take college-level courses.

VPT ENGLISH

The English test has two parts; a written essay component and a multiple choice component. The written essay is more heavily weighted in the total English score. Students should take their time and write a complete essay to the best of their ability. During the essay component, students will be asked to write a well-developed essay response to one of two prompts provided on the test. Computerized help tools such as spell check and auto correct will not be available. Once students start the essay portion, they will need to complete it without leaving, except in case of extreme need. Multiple choice components – students will answer 40 multiple- choice questions on reading and writing fundamentals. NRCC’s VPT English MOOC (massive open online course) will help you prepare for the English portion of the placement test. You’ll find modules with drills on writing, analyzing, reading comprehension, vocabulary and grammar, and using sources. More information about the FREE VPT English MOOC can be found at http://www.nr.edu/students/vpteng.php . Students must take a math placement test before enrolling in any math course. (Students who have passed the Algebra I SOL and are not enrolling in a math dual enrollment course can opt out of the VPT Math.) Some other courses such as science and computer science courses also require a qualifying score on the math placement test. Some programs such as nursing require a qualifying score on the math placement test. Students can use the electronic calculator that is provided as a pop-up window that is part of the mathematics test. The calculator is a basic four function model with a square root button. It appears on all questions except for the section on basic arithmetic. (Most students will not see this part of the test.) We strongly recommend that students who wish to test into Calculus practice with a four function calculator instead of a graphing calculator. Personal calculators of any kind cannot be used. NRCC offers a free online prep course for the Math VPT to help students prepare to do as well as they can on this test. The better you do on it, the fewer math courses you will have to take. More information about it and how to sign up and use the course can be found at http://www.nr.edu.math/pdf/VPT-math-postcard.pdf . VPT MATH

PREPARING TO TAKE THE VIRGINIA PLACEMENT TEST

When students prepare to take the placement test, the importance of reviewing material that has previously been studied cannot be over emphasized. The placement test is not an admissions test or an aptitude test. The test measures how well students demonstrate skills and proficiencies which will indicate the courses they are prepared to take. Not reviewing before taking the placement test could prevent students from qualifying for dual enrollment courses. Students are highly encouraged to start the review process early to provide enough time to practice and to build confidence in taking the placement test. This will ensure the most accurate course placement for each student.

PRACTICE TEST